The Hindu : Front Page : Another crocodile trapped in fishing net

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Sunday, Jun 24, 2007
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Another crocodile trapped in fishing net

Staff Reporter

THE SECOND ONE: A young crocodile was trapped in a fisherman’s net in Sadanandapuram lake near Tambaram on Saturday.

TAMBARAM: A second crocodile was trapped in a fishing net in the Sadanandapuram lake near here on Saturday, following a similar incident involving an adult crocodile two days ago.

A. Murugan of Sadanandapuram said he was maintaining a farm of ‘theli’ fish in a portion of the lake and had cast the net in the morning. When he returned to the lake at around 2 p.m., he noticed the crocodile in the net. The Peerkankaranai police took the animal to Arignar Anna Zoological Park.

Citing past incidents, residents said lakes at Sadanandapuram and adjacent Nedunkundram were infested with crocodiles. They were even straying into houses. They were sighted on the lake bunds during day time, but would re-enter the water when residents came nearby.

The residents demanded that the Forest Department conduct a survey of the water bodies and relocate the crocodiles to either Vandalur Zoo or other places.

Forest Department officials said the lakes, with their ample reserve of food, provided a perfect natural setting for marsh crocodiles.

P.L. Ananthasamy, Chief Conservator of Forests and Vandalur Zoo Director said the rescued crocodiles were sub-adults and could have been staying in the water bodies for more than six years. “At Vandalur zoo we are not allowing breeding of marsh crocodiles. We really do not know how these reptiles entered the water bodies.”

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